Women's Tennis

CHALA BATTLES HER WAY INTO SECOND ROUND OF NCAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP

URBANA, Ill. – Sophomore Cindy Chala didn't just have to do battle with Clemson's Liz Jeukeng, she also had to battle Mother Nature.

Despite having the match moved indoors midway through, the Versailles, France native hung tough and moved into the Round of 32 at the NCAA Singles Championship with 6-0, 5-7, 7-6 win.

After cruising to a 6-0 first set victory, Chala had gained momentum in the second set and needed just to games to take the second set (4-4), when the rains hit. It was the second rain delay of the day.

That's when the officials decided to move the match indoors. Chala took a 5-4 lead in the second set, but Jeukeng came alive, winning the second set, 7-5.

The third set saw the Clemson freshman take a quick 5-2 lead, but Chala rallied to even the score at 5-5. However, Jeukeng responded by taking a 6-5 lead, but again, Chala answered and evened it at 6-6 to take it to a tiebreak, where she eventually won to earn a spot in the Round of 32.

Chala will now take on the winner of 14th-ranked Krista Hardebeck (Stanford) and 22nd-ranked Pleun Burgmans (Auburn). Exact time for Thursday's match will be announced later this evening.